Page 123 of In Sheets of Rain

48

Go On

“There you are!” Michael exclaimed as he walked into the media room.

“Here I am,” I said.

“What are you up to?”

“Practicing my presentation.”

“Would you like an audience?”

“Not really.”

He grinned.

“Would you like to hear mine?” he asked.

“Sure.”

I sat down and got comfortable as he pulled a flash drive from his pocket and plugged it into my laptop. I noticed he was wearing his burgundy tie. I wondered if he’d chosen it on purpose.

A picture of revolving doors appeared on the projector screen. They reminded me of the lawyer’s office. A message in meme-style writing spread across the bottom.

It read:Revolving doors don’t slam!

I grinned.

“This has nothing to do with my presentation,” Michael said.

“Then why’s it there?”

“You’re not meant to ask questions until the end,” he pointed out.

“OK.”

“But because I like you, I’ll answer.”

“That seems fair.”

“It’s for you.”

“Me?”

“I considered putting up a picture of chocolate fish, but I don’t like chocolate.”

“You don’t?” I asked.

“No. Makes me sick.”

“Oh,” I said. “Then I’m afraid we can’t be friends.”

“Really?” he asked.

“Really. Unless…”

“Unless?”